Life-preserver.



J. W. LEWIS.

LiFE PRESERVER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22. 1915. RENEWED 050. 4.1916.

Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES WRENLEY LEWIS, OF BOLEY, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO '1. L. LEE, OF BOLEY, OKLAHOMA.

LIFE-PRESERVER.

Application filed June 22, 1915, Serial No. 35,624.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES WV. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boley, in the county of Okfuskee and State of Oklahoma, have invented new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to life preservers, and its object is to provide a device of this character comprising a chamber or receptacle adapted to be occupied by the person and to contain food, clothing and other supplies, said chamber or receptacle being provided with an external jacket to contain air to render it buoyant and an entrance and exit way adapted to be securely closed against the inlet of water while freely admitting air, together with an upper flotation body designed for cooperation with the buoying jacket to sustain the preserver and its contents, whereby the occupant of the preserver may be safely supported upon the surface of the water and supplied with the necessities of life for a considerable period.

A further object of the invention is to provide a life preserver of the character described which has an interior lining of nonconducting or warmth-retaining material cooperating with the external air jacket to prevent loss of heat or transmission of cold to the interior of the receptacle, whereby a comfortable internal temperature will at all times be maintained.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tubular entrance or exit passage adapted to project above the surface of the water and to be maintained in proper position by the upper buoying support, so that a signal lamp or the like may be exposed and the occupant of the receptacle permitted to secure free and ample ventilation and to come to the surface and rest upon the surface floats during calm weather.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preserver. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a chamber or receptacle, comprising a sack of rubber or other suitable material, combined Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

Renewed December 4, 1916. Serial No. 135,005.

with canvas or other reinforcing material to give sufficient strength and rigidity, said receptacle being provided with an internal lining 2 of felt, fur or other nonconducting warmth-retaining material, to prevent the transmission of heat and cold, whereby the interior of the receptacle will be maintained at all times at a comfortable temperature.

As shown, the receptacle has an entrance and exit opening 3 at its top and is surrounded by a jacket 4 of rubber or other suitable material, providing an air chamber or space 5, whereby a desired degree of buoyancy is obtained and sufficient to support the weight or the greater portion of the weight of the receptacle and its load in a body of water. The interior of the receptacle is formed with pockets 6 to receive food, clothing or other supplies, so that the occupant of the preserver may rest for a long period at sea in a safe and comfortable manner, while supplied with all the necessi ties of life, until a rescue is effected.

The opening 3 communicates with the lower end of an entrance and exit tube 7, which may be made of metal or other suit able material, and which is suitably secured at its lower edge in an air manner to the body of the receptacle. This tube 7 is of ample diameter to permit of the passage of the body of a person of any size and weight, and is open at its top and provided with a suitable closure 8 adapted to be held in closed position by suitable fastening members 9, so that the access of water to the receptacle may be prevented during rough weather. The tube 7 is designed in practice to extend a desired distance above the level of the water and is provided with a support 10 upon which a lamp or other signal may be mounted to indicate the presence of the preserver and its occupant to any passing ship.

A fresh air supply or ventilation tube 11 extends from the interior of the receptacle through the tube out at the top thereof, for the supply of air to the interior of the re ceptacle during inclement weather and at other times, said tube may be provided with suitable controlling valves whereby during exceedingly rough weather con'nnunication with the receptaelemay be cut off to prevent danger of water passing thereinto at times when waves break over the tube.

and water tight For the purpose of further buoying and supporting the receptacle and holding the exit to said tube 7 upright, I provide an upper buoying body comprising an annular chain of floats 12, formed of spheres of Wood or other suitable buoyant material. These floats 12 are fastened to a connecting cable 13 and are secured to the tube 7 by radial cables or connections 14, thus maintaining them in spaced relation to the tube so as to support the latter firmly in position and prevent its submergence. The tube is provided with rings 15 or the like to which a line may be connected to raise the preserver out oi the Water and on board the ship when rescue is effected.

Preservers of the construction described may be conveniently carried on board ship and, launched or thrown therefrom into the sea, so that in case of a wreck or the falling of a person overboard provision may be made for the saving of life in a reliable and efficient manner. It will be understood, of course, that a person falling or cast into the sea may climb over the upper floats and descend through the tube 7 into the receptacle and may close the tube 7 seci ely against entrance of Water in case the sea is rough. The occupant of the preserver Will then find ample clothing and food to sustain life, even for a period of monthsfand until he is rescued, and it at sea during any extended period the occupant may ascend through the tube 7 at intervals and Whenever the sea is su'l'liciently calm to get light and air and to ali'ord maxinn'im ventilation to the interior of the receptacle.

If desired, the tube 7 may be provided with a WlHdOW or transparent panel 16, of glass or other suitable material, for ad mitting light to the interior of the receptacle during inclement Weather and at other times.

1 claim 1. A. life preserver including a receptacle, an entrance and exit tube connected with and rising from the receptacle, a closure therefor, ventilating means associated with saio tube, a buoying element comprising an annular series of buoying members, a cable connecting said members, and radial connec tions between said cable and the tube.

2. A life preserver including a receptacle of spherical form, a jacket surrounding said receptacle and forming an air containing space, an entrance and exit tube connected Witi and rising from the receptacle, a closure therefor, ventilating means associated with said tube, and a buoying element comprising an annular series of buoying members, a cable connecting said members and radial connections between said cable and the tube.

3. A life preserver including a receptacle ha ring pockets or compartments therein,

and a non-conducting lining, a jacket sur rounding said receptacle and forming an air containing space, an entrance and exit tube connected with and rising from the recep tacle, a closure therefor, ventilating means extending through said tube, and a buoying element comprising an annular series of bnoying members, a cable connecting said members, and radial connections between said cable and the tube.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES WRJILNLEY LEl VIS. lVitnesses T. M. HAYNns, H. BARNES.

flopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Vifashington, Q. G. 

